The government has launched diplomatic efforts to resolve an incident in which People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua was denied entry into Tanzania on Sunday, May 18.
Reacting to the development, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Sing’Oei confirmed that Kenya's diplomatic mission in Dar es Salaam has reached out to Tanzanian authorities.
“Our Mission in Dar es Salaam has reached out to relevant authorities in the United Republic of Tanzania and will be apprising further on the matter shortly,” he said in a brief statement on X.
Earlier Sunday, Karua revealed that she was denied entry into Tanzania after landing at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport.
In a statement, she said her passport was seized, and kept waiting alongside her colleagues, Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi.
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"The immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who has kept me waiting for an hour as she consults her superiors. I am concerned that as a citizen of the East African Community (EAC)," she said.
Karua said the authorities did not explain the reason behind the detention and the seizure of the travel documents.
"The supervisor has now informed us that our entry to Tanzania has been denied; no reasons given," she said.
Karua was in Tanzania to attend the legal proceedings of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
"Their visit to Tanzania was solely for the purpose of conducting trial observation in the ongoing case involving Hon. Advocate Tundu Lissu, Chairperson of the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA).
"We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this incident, especially given that this is not the first time Advocate Martha Karua has participated in observing proceedings in this matter. It is worth noting that on 24th April 2025, she appeared in court for the same purpose without any interference from authorities," the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) revealed.
THRDC, while condemning the events, called on the authorities to release the documents and allow Karua and her team into the country.
"We urge the relevant airport and immigration authorities to act with urgency and in accordance with the law by releasing Advocate Martha Karua, Gloria Kimani, and Lyn Ngugi without delay. Their presence in Tanzania for a lawful, professional, and internationally recognised function should be respected," the organisation said.
